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US 11,440,523 B2Granted
Detecting electric over hydraulic trailer connectivity
AssigneeHorizon Global Americas Inc.
InventorChandrakumar D. Kulkarni
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A brake controller system includes a brake controller that controls the brakes of a towed vehicle based on acceleration. The brake controller sends signals to the brakes of the towed vehicle. The brake controller sends signals to determine whether the trailer brakes are properly connected. The signals may include a pulse train. The pulse train charges hydraulic braking systems for resistive testing. The brake controller determines whether the brakes are connected.
Claims20
A brake controller for controlling brakes of a towed vehicle, the brake controller comprising:
- a processor that operatively initiates transmission of a test signal for testing the connectivity of the brakes of the towed vehicle to the brake controller;
- an output driver circuit operatively coupled to the processor to receive the test signal and initiate application of an electronic signal to the brakes, and to measure resistance of the brakes;
- wherein, in response to determining that the resistance is within a first range corresponding to electromagnetic brakes, the processor identifies the brakes are connected and adjusts operation of the brake controller for the electromagnetic brakes, and
- wherein, in response to the determining that the resistance is not within the first range, the processor generates a pulse train to be applied to the brakes, iterates transmission of the test signal, and in response to determining that the resistance is within a second range corresponding to electric over hydraulic (EOH) brakes, the processor identifies the brakes are connected and adjusts operation of the brake controller for the EOH brakes.
1 more element
A brake controller for determining connectivity of trailer brakes comprising:
- a processor;
- and
- an output driver circuit selectively coupled to the trailer brakes,
- wherein the processor generates a pulse train to be applied to a trailer brake system, the pulse train comprising a plurality of pulses that operatively charge an input circuit of the trailer brake system if the trailer brake system is operatively connected, and
- wherein the processor measures resistance a response at the output driver circuit after application of the pulse train to determine whether the trailer brake system is operatively connected;
- wherein:
- (A) (i) the response is a measurement of inductance, and (ii) determining that when the response corresponds to an inductance range corresponding to electromagnetic brakes, the processor identifies the brakes are connected and adjusts a transfer function of the brake controller for the electromagnetic brakes,
- (B) when the response does not correspond to the inductance range, (i) the response is a measurement of resistance, and (ii) the resistance is within a first range corresponding to electromagnetic brakes, the processor identifies the brakes are connected and adjusts the operation of the brake controller for the electromagnetic brakes,
- (C) in response to the determining that the resistance is not within the first range, (i) the response is a measurement of resistance, and (ii) when the resistance is within a second range corresponding to electric over hydraulic (EOH) brakes, the processor identifies the brakes are connected and adjusts operation of the brake controller for the EOH brakes.
6 more elements
A method for determining connectivity of trailer brakes to a brake controller, the method comprising:
- generating a resistive test signal to apply to a connection terminal of an output circuit of the brake controller;
- measuring resistance at the output circuit;
- in response to determining that the resistance is within a first range corresponding to electric brakes, identifying the trailer brakes as operatively connected to electronic brakes;
- in response to determining that the resistance is not within the first range, generating a pulse train to be applied to the connection terminal of the output circuit;
- measuring resistance at the output circuit after application of the pulse train;
- and
- in response to determining that the resistance is within a second range corresponding to electric over hydraulic (EOH) brakes, identifying the trailer brakes as operatively connected to EOH brakes.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.